as in launch
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) everyone was quiet in the control room as they waited for lift-off

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of liftoff The May 6 attempt was scrubbed two hours before liftoff because of valve on ULA’s upper Centaur stage that teams continue to investigate. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025 As private spaceflight becomes commercially viable and space becomes a platform for storytelling, marketing is preparing for liftoff. Cathy Hackl, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Now, mission operators and crew are working toward an early morning June 19 liftoff. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 June 2025 Clear catastrophic lack of lift just seconds after liftoff. Hannah Parry barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for liftoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liftoff
Noun
  • But Washington retains the sole authority to order a nuclear launch.
    FLORENCE GAUB, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • That’s how many people Lutnick claims registered for the $5 million Trump Gold Card visa on its website in the days immediately following the website’s June 11 launch.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Max lost a piece of its fuselage known as a mid-exit door (MED) plug shortly after takeoff.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • American Airlines Flight 1665 was forced to return to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS) shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue, the airline said in a statement.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liftoff. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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